Legislative Update

The 2023 legislative session is in full swing, and the primary issues impacting home health and hospice agencies are moving quickly.

The House and Senate have both passed Budget Adjustment Act (BAA) legislation (H.145 An act relating to fiscal year 2023 budget adjustments) and the bill now heads to conference committee. The bill includes an increase for skilled home health services, bringing rates up to 90 percent of the Low Utilization Payment Adjustment (LUPA) fee schedule.

While the bill includes differences between the House, the Senate and the Administration versions on some important issues, there is consensus on the home health increase and we expect it to go through. The rate increase has already been posted for a February 15 effective date, pending legislative approval.

Read the Full Update on Our Website

Advocates and Providers Call Upon Legislature to Fully Fund Long-Term Care

On Friday advocates and providers with the Long Term Care Crisis Coalition, of which VNAs of Vermont is a member, joined together to hold a press conference urging the Legislature to take immediate action and protect access to long-term care services for Vermonters by fully funding those services in the state budget.

Thousands of Vermonters depend on long-term care services for assistance performing basic activities of daily living such as dressing or bathing. Providers, like Vermont’s home health agencies, support our family members, neighbors and friends who wish to remain in their homes or communities as they age. Chronic underfunding, a workforce crisis, and rising costs of care have put these services at risk.